Gardening Articles: Edibles :: Fruit & Nut Trees

New Tree for the Edible Landscape

by Charlie Nardozzi

Its not often that something new comes along in the world of yard trees, but a recently introduced tree native to northern China is not only widely adapted to American growing conditions, it produces edible nuts, too.

The yellowhorn or Chinese flowering chestnut (Xanthoceras sorbifolia) grows to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide at maturity, producing dark green, deciduous leaves. The spring show of white flower clusters with red eyes is magnificent. The flowers give way to 2-inch-long seedpods that contain edible pea-like nuts, making this an excellent wildlife plant as well as a highly desirable yard tree. Yellowhorn grows best in full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil types. It's hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8.